DEAR ABBY: I am the oldest son. My problem is, my sisters are taking financial advantage of our mother. Neither of them seems to want to work or be able to hold a full-time job. When Dad was alive, he helped them out by buying them homes, but he never gave them money.
I have worked and been self-sufficient my entire life. I bought my own home. Mom has been paying for home repairs for one sister, and she "loaned" the other sister money to buy a property she wants to build on, despite having no income. Mom has also been paying the monthly HOA dues on both my sisters' homes, which is several hundred dollars per month.
I have told them repeatedly to stop asking Mom for money. She's a retired teacher who lives on a fixed income, and her savings are now completely gone. How can I get my sisters to quit living off our mother's life savings? -- DISGUSTED SON IN NEVADA
DEAR SON: By draining your mother's financial assets, your sisters may have committed what could be considered elder abuse. Elder abuse is a crime. The best person to help you put an end to this would be a lawyer. The sooner you consult one, the better for your mother.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.